Skip to main content
Large crane vessel installing a transformer platform in windfarm

Crane Weighing and Overload Protection

BLH Nobel provides high-quality, robust, crane weighing and crane overload protection solutions that deliver outstanding safety, accuracy, and ease of operation for a wide array of industrial segments and applications.

 

Automatically monitoring all forces during the crane’s operation can ensure it operates within safe limits and extend its working lifecycle for many years. This is where BLH Nobel offers a distinct advantage, enabling all weights and forces to be accurately and reliably measured throughout the crane’s operation.

 

With a worldwide presence as an industry leader, BLH Nobel has been designing and manufacturing advanced strain gage-based load cells and crane weighing systems for more than half a century. Our load cells and end-to-end measurement and control solutions are precisely engineered for extreme accuracy, long-lasting reliability, simplified installation and setup, and intuitive ease-of-use.

High performance crane overload protection for enhanced safety

BLH Nobel load cells provide high accuracy, repeatability, and correct measurement for weight and force, which is crucial when determining whether the crane can handle a specific load or not. If the weight of the load exceeds the crane's safe lifting capacity, our overload protection will automatically halt the crane's operation.

Whether simple or complex, on-shore or off-shore,  all our crane safety modules include built-in redundancy and meet EU regulations for overload protection (Machinery Directive). This means all crane overload protection systems comply with  Performance Level PLc/PLd (IEC 13849-1) and Safety Integrity Level SIL2 (ISO-EN 61508-1). The crane overload protection system is available for cranes with up to 8 hoists.

 


 

Leading through innovation: advanced crane weighing products

Because BLH Nobel started out developing to meet military spec, our crane weighing solutions have a worldwide reputation for high quality.

We manufacture the entire solution from end-to-end, including: load cells, strain gages, hardware, software, and instrumentation—along with the relevant certification, support, and services.

 

 

Cutting-edge load cells

BLH Nobel was the first to develop shear load cells in the 1950s. We later went on to invent the unique KIS circular structure and patented sleeve. The sleeve fits over the load cell, allowing loads to be applied in line with the strain gages, without affecting the measuring elements. This double-cantilever technology allows for vertical load movement across the pin source, resulting in true force measurement.

Thanks to their intelligent design, our KIS load cells are easy to install and extremely accurate, even when subjected to dynamic process forces and severe environmental conditions. Their unique double cantilever design ensures they are not impacted by thermal or structural expansions, vibrations, or disruptive lateral forces.

 

Innovative pin load cell delivers superior performance

Based on vast engineering experience and manufacturing capabilities, we developed a dynamometric sensor load pin that accommodates side forces, vibrations, and heat expansion.  

Using this approach, crane weighing can take place during transferring, lifting, unloading, or moving—eliminating the need to stop and lower loads down onto static floor scales between the different steps of the process. This translates directly into highly reliable and extremely efficient weighing of material during loading.

 

Designed for reliability in harsh environments

Our load cells provide a lifting capacity of thousands of tons, while remaining accurate and resilient in the face of humidity, extreme temperatures, corrosive acids, or explosive fumes.

BLH Nobel load cells and weigh modules are optimized for the demands of industrial applications, offering 300 % ultimate overload, temperature compensation up to 150°C, high ingress protection rating and varied options for cables, connectors and fire sleeve protection. 

 

Fully compliant with industry standards and regulations

Our smart solutions are certified to meet the OIML Legal-For-Trade standard. BLH Nobel can provide the KIS 11 load cell and our unique G5 PM with OIML R76 approval.

All our load cells are available as ATEX/IECEx/FM/CSA certified for use in explosive atmospheres. Ingress protection IP67 is standard for all products and IP68 is available where required.

Cutting-edge load cells

BLH Nobel was the first to develop shear load cells in the 1950s. We later went on to invent the unique KIS circular structure and patented sleeve. The sleeve fits over the load cell, allowing loads to be applied in line with the strain gages, without affecting the measuring elements. This double-cantilever technology allows for vertical load movement across the pin source, resulting in true force measurement.

Thanks to their intelligent design, our KIS load cells are easy to install and extremely accurate, even when subjected to dynamic process forces and severe environmental conditions. Their unique double cantilever design ensures they are not impacted by thermal or structural expansions, vibrations, or disruptive lateral forces.

 

Innovative pin load cell delivers superior performance

Based on vast engineering experience and manufacturing capabilities, we developed a dynamometric sensor load pin that accommodates side forces, vibrations, and heat expansion.  

Using this approach, crane weighing can take place during transferring, lifting, unloading, or moving—eliminating the need to stop and lower loads down onto static floor scales between the different steps of the process. This translates directly into highly reliable and extremely efficient weighing of material during loading.

 

Designed for reliability in harsh environments

Our load cells provide a lifting capacity of thousands of tons, while remaining accurate and resilient in the face of humidity, extreme temperatures, corrosive acids, or explosive fumes.

BLH Nobel load cells and weigh modules are optimized for the demands of industrial applications, offering 300 % ultimate overload, temperature compensation up to 150°C, high ingress protection rating and varied options for cables, connectors and fire sleeve protection. 

 

Fully compliant with industry standards and regulations

Our smart solutions are certified to meet the OIML Legal-For-Trade standard. BLH Nobel can provide the KIS 11 load cell and our unique G5 PM with OIML R76 approval.

All our load cells are available as ATEX/IECEx/FM/CSA certified for use in explosive atmospheres. Ingress protection IP67 is standard for all products and IP68 is available where required.


 

Crane weighing and overload protection mastery: custom solutions that blend know-how, design engineering, and flexibility

BLH Nobel is a complete solution provider. Based on decades of design and manufacturing, we have a deep understanding of crane weighing and overload protection. Be it a simple solution or one that is more advanced, we know where to mount the load cells to ensure the best accuracy for weighing. We also know what it takes to provide a design that is guaranteed to work. Learn more

 

Tailored or retrofit solutions for load optimization and safety

For decades, crane manufacturers have viewed BLH Nobel as their ‘go to’ provider for high quality load cells, customized for any use case. Whether simple or complex, from a few centimeters to several meters in length – we have the solution for any requirement.

BLH Nobel's pin load cells are uniquely designed to replace existing load-bearing pins in machinery, seamlessly integrating into the existing mechanical structure without requiring major modifications. This integration allows for direct and accurate measurement of the force or load, minimizing errors that can occur with indirect measurement methods. Their robust design also guarantees durability and longevity, even in harsh working environments, leading to reduced downtime and maintenance costs.

 

Custom-crafted solutions, instruments, and software

Because we design and manufacture all the load cells, strain gages, hardware, software, and instrumentation, BLH Nobel can provide the entire end-to-end solution, fully engineered, with all components, as well as full calibration services. Whether standard or custom-made, we can provide the solution for any challenge.

Our solutions offer a wide range of communication protocol support and wireless options. All our load cells can be delivered with embedded amplifiers with an output signal of 4 – 20 mA; either fixed or field replaceable (plug & play) version.

 


 

FAQs

 

  1. What is a load cell?

A load cell is a critical component in any weighing technology and is designed to accurately measure force or weight under a variety of conditions. Using advanced strain gage technology, load cells convert the mechanical force exerted by the weight of an object into an electrical signal. This signal is then precisely measured and processed to provide an accurate weight reading. Renowned for their precision and durability, BLH Nobel's load cells are engineered to ensure reliable performance and safety even under extreme conditions.

  1. How do pin load cells improve accuracy and operational efficiency?

A pin load cell is a sensor used to measure force or weight transferred through the pin joint. The load pin force sensor converts a force into an electrical signal. Due to their design, the load pin can identify applied forces, then measure these forces or prevent overloads.

Using this approach, crane weighing can take place during transferring, lifting, unloading, or moving. Consequently, these pin load cells are instrumental in improving the overall efficiency and safety of industrial operations.

  1. Which industries most need crane weighing and overload protection?

Crane weighing and overload protection are especially critical in industries such as construction, shipping, and manufacturing, where heavy loads are often essential to the operation. In construction, precise load measurements are crucial to ensure structural integrity and safety when lifting materials like steel beams and concrete. In the shipping industry, accurate weighing is vital for balancing cargo loads and complying with shipping regulations. For manufacturing, especially in sectors like automotive and heavy machinery, overload protection ensures the safety of both the equipment and personnel. Without reliable crane weighing and overload protection, operations in demanding and harsh-environment  industries would be at risk for severe safety hazards, operational disruptions, and financial losses resulting from damage or regulatory non-compliance.

  1. Can crane weighing and overload protection be added to an existing crane?

BLH Nobel crane weighing and overload protection solutions can be added to existing systems with relative ease. Our technology is designed to be versatile and adaptable, allowing for integration into a wide range of crane types and models. This adaptability ensures that even older or previously equipped cranes can be upgraded with advanced weighing and overload protection capabilities. BLH Nobel's solutions typically involve the installation of load cells and other monitoring equipment, which can be tailored to fit the specific requirements of the existing crane infrastructure. The ability to retrofit existing cranes with these advanced systems provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for improving crane safety and functionality.

Solutions For Crane Weighing


Resources